Lynagh: Boks are too old

Former Wallaby captain and flyhalf, Michael Lynagh believes that hosts, New Zealand are the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup and that defending champions, the Springboks are too old to retain it.

“There is a view that a lot of the South African forwards may be a little aged.  A lot of them were involved in the last World Cup and it’s a fact no nation has ever won back-to-back World Cups and a lot of the time that’s the reason why. Players that won a World Cup hold on a little bit long and want to do another one. It’s difficult to argue against,” Lynagh said on Laureus’ website.

He attributed the Boks chances at the RWC to their poor performance in the Tri Nations and South African teams not doing as well in this season’s Super 15.

Lynagh, who is Australia’s leading points scorer in Test rugby, also said that he still thinks the All Blacks will be crowned champions, despite not living up to their billing in the last five editions of the tournament.

“I’ve said it for the last heavens knows how many World Cups, but New Zealand to win. They’ve been unfortunate in the last World Cups, they’re a good team and they’re at home. So it’s theirs to lose. You wouldn’t get very good odds on them, so my value money probably would be with Australia or South Africa, but it’s going to be very interesting how New Zealand deal with the pressure.”